Dental attachment structure

Abstract

A dental attachment structure for a dental appliance, such as a partial denture, an overdenture or bridgework, including female member adapted to be permanently attached to a natural tooth, and a male member having a body of a resilient non-metallic material which supports the appliance. The male and female members are provided with interengaging elements for snap retention of structure. A retention plate secures the female member to a crown or inlay of an abutment tooth. The plate is contoured to provide more securement and a base supporting a socket is angled from the plate toward the edentulous ridge. Securement of members is at a location closer to the center of rotation of the abutment. It is also an aspect of the invention that the male member which supports the appliance may be replaced with a second and subsequent male member with complete accuracy. Replacement of male members will permit the return of the restoration to the original state as problems of wear, retention, or other problems may develop.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.